Nassau County Building to Light Up in Honor of Clark Gillies

Clark Gillies lit up Long Island during his 40+ years as a resident, so it seems like a fitting tribute to light up the Nassau County Executive Building in the late legend's honor.
On Friday night - and throughout the weekend - the dome of the Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building in Mineola will be lit up in orange and blue to honor Gillies,
who passed away in January at 67
.

"We're here today to celebrate the life of not only a great athlete, but a great humanitarian," Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. "We wanted to do something that would recognize his achievements not only as an athlete, but as a citizen who really took community service to heart."
Blakeman urged residents to pass by the building on Friday night to see it lit up and to take a moment to reflect on Gillies' legacy.
"[When] you see the Nassau County colors, which are also the Islanders colors, the blue and orange, I want you to think of all of the work and all of the great times that Clark Gillies gave to us here in Nassau County," Blakeman said.

Gillies played 872 games for the Islanders from 1974-86, scoring 663 points and winning four Stanley Cups with the club. After retiring in 1988, the Hockey Hall of Famer settled on Long Island and became an integral part of the community.
Remembering Clark Gillies
ARTICLES
Islanders Honor Gillies With Patch
The Reluctant Warrior
Bourne Remembers Gillies
Hockey World Mourns Gillies
Photos: Clark Gillies Through the Years
Clark Gillies Passes Away
VIDEO
Clark Gillies Tribute Video
Fans Pay Tribute to Gillies
Clark Gillies Moment of Silence
PODCAST
Gillies on Talkin' Isles
"What he did after hockey will be his legacy," Bobby Nystrom said. "He dedicated his life to the people of Long Island and if you can find someone on Long Island that doesn't know the name Clark Gillies, then they must have moved here yesterday."
He founded The Clark Gillies Foundation, a non-profit corporation to help physically, developmentally, or financially challenged children, which has granted over $3.5M to local causes. The foundation helped raise one million dollars for the Huntington Hospital Pediatric Unit, which was renamed the Clark Gillies Pediatric Unit in his honor.
"He never said no to anyone who had a charitable event," Nystrom said. "Not only has he raised millions for The Clark Gillies Foundation, but he also did it for hundreds of other charities on Long Island. I often wondered if he ever slept."
Islanders Co-Owner Jon Ledecky was on hand for Friday's ceremony, sharing stories of Gillies taking him on tours of hospital wings and making other alumni, including a player who only played one game with the franchise, feel as much a part of the Islanders family as one of the all-time greats.
The lighting ceremony is just the latest tribute to Gillies, as the Islanders have been honoring Gillies by wearing a number nine patch on their jerseys, which will continue for the rest of the season.
"What a great honor for Clark, Pam, and the family to have this wonderful building lit up in Clark's honor," Ledecky said. "Number nine, Clark Gillies, will always be in our heart."